Processor Shakti

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science & Technology

Why in news?

India's 1^st 7 nanometer (nm) computer chip design to be ready by 2028: Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

It is India’s 1^st indigenously designed 7 nm computer processor, is expected to be ready by 2028.
Started in 2013, SHAKTI is based on open-source instruction set architecture, allowing anyone to adopt and use it freely without restrictions.
Developed by – Reconfigurable Intelligent Systems Engineering (RISE) group at Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras), through its SHAKTI initiative.

"Shakti initiative" is a key program to develop indigenous, open-source microprocessors. Eg. Development of SHAKTI processor family.

Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Collaboration – It fosters collaboration among academic institutions, startups, and industry to enhance R&D infrastructure and expand talent capacity.

Features & Applications

RISC-V – Adopting RISC-V (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture, an open-source architecture & a family of microprocessors is being developed based on different types of devices.
Performance & efficiency – The system is designed for high performance and energy efficiency and represents a major leap in semiconductor design.
Applications – Deployed across financial services, communications, defence and other strategic sectors.
AI and 5G – This will support emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, and supercomputing.
Future Roadmap – Through sustained R&D and strategic investment, the nation aims to build chips in India for the world.
Reinforces – India’s strategic goal of technological self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and aligns with India Semiconductor Mission.
Significance – With this initiative, India aims to bridge the gap by reducing import dependency, and strengthening its position in global semiconductor innovation.

References